Category: Hero Arts

Butterfly #2

I decided to make another card with the same design that I showed in this post. For this card, I created the panel with a technique shown in the Online Card Classes Inspiration Showcase course.

Butterfly2

 

When I took the Inspiration Showcase course, I was fairly new to cardmaking and stamping, so I’ve been revisiting the techniques taught in the course. The background stamp was “inked” with the acrylic paint dabber. After the paint dried, I added distress inks in layers, beginning with the wild honey, followed by the spiced marmalade, and finally with the persimmon.

Right at Home

This week I began an online Map Making class taught by Anne Ditmeyer. For my class project, I’m creating a map of our daily walk with Ginger, our golden retriever. With my head full of map ideas, I set out to create a map-based card celebrating Ginger and the Pacific Northwest. (I don’t always feel “at home” here, but I do make an effort to celebrate what I have. The Pacific Northwest is a beautiful part of the world, and for the time being, it is my home.)

MyHome-blog

 

I used the Washington State from Nettio Designs’ map template as a mask for Cosmo Cricket’s Mr. Campy digital paper. I printed the state shape and cut it by hand. This is a case where I’d very much like to have had the use of a digital cutter. 🙂

As my cardmaking has evolved, I’ve recognize the importance of  little details. In this case, I went back and added the small, die-cut heart to the sentiment and colored in the dog’s nose.

Supplies: Cosmo Cricket Mr. Campy digital paper; Stampin’ Up cardstock (orange, red)

Kick Start Butterfly

I’ve been decluttering and organizing over the past several days – craft supplies and magazines for the most part (a long overdue task). What I haven’t been doing is playing much with stamps!

So today was a “get back into the saddle” day for cardmaking. I pulled out my Online Card Classes Kick Start course notebook, which I finally put together yesterday with all the class printouts, and turned to a lovely card by Jennifer McGuire. In fact, in the lesson, she shows five variations of this same design.

KickStartButterfly

 

The background was stamped first with white ink and then again with green for a shadow effect. The next time I make a card like this, I’ll use a background stamp that lays down a little more ink as I think that would be a bit more effective. I dry embossed the butterfly to give it a bit more texture and dimension on the page.

Love Notes

Now you didn’t think I’d stop at just one die-cut envelope card, did you? I became a bit obsessed and made more envelopes in different colors. I even tried all of the other stamps in the “Four Hearts” set, but my favorite stamp for this purpose is the one that would be considered to be a “reverse” stamp.

LoveNotes

Supplies: Amuse Studio envelope die; Glitter paper (Target)

Die Cut Valentine

I wanted to create a Valentine-themed card without a stamped sentiment, because I wanted the background to have some texture. so turned to the Hero Arts Alphabet Dies for an “X” and an “O.” To create the pattern on the die-cut envelope, I stamped one of the hearts from the Hero Arts “Four Hearts” set in a row (alternating direction) to give me enough surface for the envelope die. I used the Pale Tomato shadow ink – I couldn’t believe how beautifully it stamped with the heart stamp. Really enjoying using the shadow inks!

XOCard

Supplies: Amuse Studio envelope die; Amuse Studio wood grain impression plate; Glitter paper (Target)